Bioequivalence study of generic molnupiravir in healthy volunteers

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Abbreviations. COVID-19 – a novel coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus; NHC, N-hydroxycytidine; CI – confidence interval; AUC – area under the concentration-time curve; AUC_0–t/AUC_0–16 – area under the concentration-time pharmacokinetic curve from zero to the last blood withdrawal at which the drug concentration is equal to or higher than the lower limit of quantitation; AUC_0–∞ – area under the concentration-time pharmacokinetic curve, starting from zero time, extrapolated to infinity; C_max – the maximum concentration of the drug in blood plasma; NHC-TP – N-hydroxycytidine triphosphate; T_max – time to reach the maximum concentration; HPLC-MS/MS – high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry; GLP – Good Laboratory Practice; AE/SAE – undesirable/serious adverse event; CDKT – comparative dissolution kinetics test; BMI – body mass index.

INTRODUCTION

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly increased the burden on healthcare systems around the world and required decisive measures, in particular, an active search for effective treatments [1–4]. Currently, there are 3 main areas of therapy for the treatment of COVID-19: etiotropic (antiviral), pathogenetic and symptomatic.

Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug that is effective against SARS-CoV-2. It is a prodrug that is chemically a 5’-isobutyrate ester of the ribonucleoside analog of N-hydroxycytidine (NHC). Once in the bloodstream, molnupiravir is hydrolyzed to NHC, which, upon penetrating into the cell, is transformed to pharmacologically active N-hydroxycytidine triphosphate (NHC-TP). NHC-TP, in turn, is inserted into viral RNA by viral RNA polymerases and generates errors in the genetic code of the virus. Genome errors caused by NHC-TP, accumulate, disrupting viral replication. Thus, the antiviral effect of molnupiravir is realized [5–7].

In clinical studies, molnupiravir has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 and a favorable safety profile [8–12]. The recommended dosage regimen of molnupiravir for COVID-19 is 800 mg twice/daily, regardless of food intake for 5 days.

At the end of 2021, molnupiravir was approved for the use in adult patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 with risk factors for developing a severe disease in various countries, incl. the US, Europe and the UK. In addition, it is included in the Interim Guidelines of the Ministry of Health of Russia “Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)”, starting with version 14 dated 27 December, 2021.

The original drug of molnupiravir is Lagevrio, which was registered in Russia in 2022 by “MSD Pharmaceuticals” LLC and is presented in the form of capsules, 200 mg. LLC “Technology of Medicines” has developed a generic drug molnupiravir – ALARIO-TL. To confirm the bioequivalence of the developed generic and original drugs, this bioequivalence study has been conducted.

THE AIM of the study was to evaluate bioequivalence of the generic drug molnupiravir ALARIO-TL and the original drug Lagevrio with a single oral administration in healthy volunteers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study design

The bioequivalence of drugs was assessed as the 1^st stage of a clinical trial with a combined two-stage design (No. CJ051025138). The first stage of this study, i.e. the bioequivalence study, was a randomized two-period crossover study with a single oral fasting dose of 200 mg of test and reference drugs in healthy volunteers.

The study design was developed taking into account both Russian recommendations for conducting bioequivalence studies¹ and international guidelines². The WHO recommendations³ on conducting bioequivalence studies of drugs based on molnupiravir, were also taken into account when planning the design.

Prior to the start of the study protocol No. CJ051025138 was approved by the Russian Ministry of Health and the Ethics Council under it (Permission No. 294 dated 20 Apr, 2022), as well as by the local ethics committees of the study site (Protocol No. 236 dated 28 Apr, 2022). The study was conducted in full compliance with the requirements of Good Clinical Practice of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH GCP) E6 (R2), the rules of good clinical practice of the Eurasian Economic Union, the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of the last revision and other applicable legislative acts of the Russian Federation and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The clinical stage of the bioequivalence study was conducted on the basis of Eco-safety Research Center LLC from Apr 28 to May 18, 2022.

Before starting the study, a in vitro equivalence dissolution test and a comparative quantitation were performed using the same series that were subsequently used in the bioequivalence study. In vitro equivalence dissolution test was carried out using a paddle stirrer type device and a device for immersion under the conditions of a stirrer rotation of 75 rpm, the temperature of 37±0.5°C, and the medium volume of 900 ml. Three dissolution media were used for testing: a buffer solution pH 1.2; an acetate buffer solution pH 4.5; a phosphate buffer solution pH 6.8. The samples were analyzed at points 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min by UV spectrophotometry. As a research result of both the test and the reference drugs, in all media, the release of more than 85% of the active substance was observed within 15 min, which made it possible to consider the dissolution kinetics equivalent without mathematical evaluations. The quantification showed that the content of the active substance in the preparations differed by no more than 5%, and the release profiles of molnupiravir in vitro equivalence dissolution test were equivalent, which confirmed the correctness of the series choice of the test and reference drugs.

Study population

In total, 31 healthy volunteers were screened, and 28 volunteers of them were successfully screened and randomized (14 volunteers in each group). The randomization was carried out using the envelope method. The main inclusion criteria were: a male gender; an age of 18–45 years; a body mass index 18.5–30 kg/m², a verified diagnosis “healthy” according to standard clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods of examination. The volunteers with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2, an aggravated allergic history, hypersensitivity to the components of the study products, as well as chronic diseases of various organ systems, were not allowed to participate in the study. The criteria for an discontinuation from the study were: withdrawal of an informed consent, the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs) in volunteers, in which a further participation in the study was undesirable, death, use of the prohibited therapy, and significant protocol violations. No replacing of the retired volunteers had been provided.

Administration of study products

In this research, the test (T) was a generic drug of molnupiravir – ALARIO-TL (“R-Pharm” JSC, Russia), in the dosage form of capsules, 200 mg. As a reference drug (R), the original drug Lagevrio, capsules, 200 mg (Patheon Pharma Services, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, USA) was used. The volunteers were randomized to one of the groups with a different sequence of dosing (TR or RT). The drugs were administrated twice with an interval of 3 days at the dose of 200 mg (1 capsule). In group No. 1 (TR), in the 1^st period, the volunteers were administrated with the test drug once, and in the 2^nd period – with the reference drug; in group No. 2 (RT) – vice versa. The duration of the washout period was chosen to exclude a possible effect of the molnupiravir administration in the 1^st period of the study on the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of the drug in the 2^nd period. The average half-life of the main molnupiravir NHC metabolite is about 3.3 h. Accordingly, to guarantee a decrease in the concentration of molnupiravir below the lower limit of quantitation in the volunteers at the beginning of the 2^nd period of the study, the interval between the drugs doses should be at least 5 half-lives, i.e., at least 16.5 h.

Drugs were administrated in the morning on an empty stomach after refraining from eating for at least 10 hours with 200 ml of non-carbonated drinking water at the room temperature. The volunteers were to be in the “sitting” position for 4 hours after taking the drug (it was permissible to get up and walk, the “lying” position was not allowed). If during the first 4 h after taking the drug in any of the periods of the study, a volunteer experienced vomiting or diarrhea, he dropped out of the study.

Sampling and sample preparation

To assess the NHC concentration in plasma, time points for biosampling were chosen in such a way that the most complete data for each fragment of the pharmacokinetic curve could be obtained. In order to achieve this target, frequent sampling near T_max (~1 h when taking molnupiravir at the dose of 200 mg) was envisaged, as well as at least 3–4 points during the terminal phase. Thus, biosampling was carried out at the following points: before taking the test/reference drug and then after 15, 30, 45, 60 min, 1 h and 15 min, 1 h and 30 min, 1 h and 45 min, 2 h, 2 h and 15 min , 2 h and 30 min, 2 h and 45 min, 3 h, 3 h and 30 min, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h and 16 h after dosing in each of the 2 study periods (the total of 21 sampling points in a period). To determine the molnupiravir concentration, timing postponement of blood sampling was not allowed in the first 2 h; it was permitted for no more than 5 min in the period from 3 to 16 h.

Venous blood in the volume of at least 6 ml was taken into special vacutainer tubes containing the anticoagulant K₂EDTA. Blood plasma was separated by centrifugation at 2000 g for 10 min. Then the test tubes were frozen and stored at the temperature not exceeding –65°C. The time interval between blood sampling, centrifugation and freezing did not exceed 30 min.

 

Figure 1 – Bioequivalence study design

 

Figure 2 – Dynamics of NHC metabolite concentrations (mean and 95% CI) after taking test and reference drugs (N = 28)

Note: R – reference drug, T – test drug.

 

Analytical method

NHC, the main molnupiravir metabolite, was chosen as the analyte in this study, since molnupiravir undergoes hydrolysis to NHC before it reaches the systemic circulation, as a result of which unchanged molnupiravir is practically not detected in the blood.

All sample preparation was carried out under cooling conditions in an ice bath, since at room temperature, molnupiravir hydrolysis by plasma enzymes continued after sampling. The extraction of NHC from blood plasma was carried out by precipitation of blood plasma proteins with chilled methanol containing 0.1% formic acid.

The plasma NHC concentration was determined using validated high performance liquid chromatography with a tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) technique. The determination method was developed and validated in accordance with the standards of good laboratory practice (GLP) and the recommendations of Appendix No. 6 to the "Rules for Conducting Bioequivalence Studies of Medicinal Products" within the Eurasian Economic Union. Validation was carried out according to the main characteristics of the methods: extraction efficiency from plasma and the matrix effect; a lower level of quantitation (LLOQ); a calibration range; accuracy and precision; selectivity (specificity); a sample transfer; stability.

The obtained samples were analyzed on an Infinity 1290 high performance liquid chromatograph (Agilent) equipped with a Triple Quad 5500+ (AB Sciex Pte. Ltd., Singapore) mass spectrometric detector with a triple quadrupole and electrospray ionization. A chromatographic separation was carried out on a Phenomenex Kinetex EVO C18 chromatographic column (100A 50×2.1 mm, 2.6 µm) in a gradient elution mode at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. The volume of the injected sample was 2 μl. A combination of ammonium acetate and methanol solutions was used as the mobile phase. Under these conditions, the retention time for N-hydroxycytidine was 0.5 min, the internal standard tolbutamide was 1.8 min. The total analysis time was 4 min.

For a selective and sensitive detection of the studied compounds, the optimal conditions for ionization in an electrospray and registration of negatively charged ions were chosen (MRM transitions for NHC were 258.2/126.1, for tolbutamide – 269.1/170.2).

Quantitative data processing was carried out with Analyst 1.7.2 program (AB Sciex Pte. Ltd., Singapore) using the internal standard method (solution of tolbutamide at the concentration of 1 mg/mL).

The analyte concentration was calculated from the calibration dependence of the chromatographic peak of the analyte to the area of the peak of the internal standard area on the nominal analyte concentration. The calibration curves were linear functions, the linear concentration range for NHC was 20–5000 ng/mL.

Safety assessment

For the purpose of a safety analysis, periodic assessments of physiological (blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature), hematological (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, a leukocyte formula, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and biochemical (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, uric acid, glucose, total bilirubin, creatinine) indicators, urinalysis, as well as adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) registrations, were carried out. Laboratory and instrumental examinations were performed at screening as well as face-to-face visits on days 1, 4, and 6 from the start of the study. A telephone visit on day 10±1 was chosen as an additional point for safety monitoring. The selected safety endpoints were: the incidence and severity of all AEs and SAEs, the incidence of NCI CTCAE 5.0 Grade 3–5 AEs, and the incidence of an early withdrawal from the study associated with AEs/SAEs.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was carried out using the software package for a statistical analysis R, version 4.2.0. (R Foundation, Austria).

The sample size was calculated taking into account the selected level of statistical significance α equal to 0.05, power – 0.8 (80%), as well as an intra-individual coefficient of variation for C_max and AUC 22% molnupiravir – 0.22 (22%).

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence analyzes were performed in the population of all volunteers who had missed no more than 2 blood samplings in each of the periods, and no more than 2 consecutive samplings. A safety analysis was performed in the population of all participants who had received at least one dose of test or reference drugs.

Based on the obtained values of NHC concentrations in the volunteers’ blood plasma, the main pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were calculated in the time intervals provided for in this protocol: C_max – the maximum concentration of the drug in the volunteers’ blood; T_max – time to reach C_max; AUC_(0–t) – total area under the concentration-time curve in the time interval from 0 to 16 hours; T_{1/2 –} half-life; AUC_(0–∞) is the area under the “concentration-time” curve in the time interval from 0 to infinity.

All of the above parameters were presented using the arithmetic mean + standard deviation (M+SD), with the exception of T_max, for which the median, minimum, and maximum had been used.

The drugs bioequivalence was assessed by comparing the boundaries of confidence intervals (CIs) for the ratio of the AUC _(0–16) and C_max geometric means after administrating the test and reference drugs with established equivalence limits equal to 80.00–125.00%. To establish bioequivalence, a analysis of variance (ANOVA) of logarithmically transformed NHC parameters necessary for assessing bioequivalence (AUC and C_max), was used. Based on the residual variation of the dispersion models, the variation coefficients of the studied parameters and the corresponding CIs (on a logarithmic scale) were calculated to search for the differences between the compared drugs. The resulting CIs were inversely transformed to construct the desired CIs for the ratio of means in the original (non-transformed) units.

A statistical analysis took into account the sources of variability that could affect the variable under study. The fixed factors were used in the analysis of variance models: the sequence of drugs, the subject of the study nested in the sequence, the period and the drug. Analysis of variance was used to test hypotheses about the statistical significance of each of these factors contribution to the observed variability. The assessment of the residual variation obtained by applying the analysis of variance, was used to calculate a 90% confidence interval for the ratio of the corresponding pharmacokinetic parameter means.

RESULTS

Population

A total of 28 male volunteers were included in the study. All randomized volunteers were white people. The height and weight of the study participants were within the normal range of body mass index (BMI). The mean age was 26.46 (±4.74) years, the body weight was 77.55 (±9.20) kg, and BMI was 23.71 (±2.07) kg/m². All volunteers completed the study according to the protocol, and therefore were included in the population for the evaluation of pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence.

Assessment of pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence

Based on the results of the NHC concentration analysis in the volunteers’ blood plasma, the main parameters of the calculated molnupiravir pharmacokinetics, are presented in Table 1.

 

Table 1 – Obtained values of pharmacokinetic parameters after taking test and reference drugs (n = 28)

Pharmacokinetic parameters	Test drug (n = 28)	Reference drug (n = 28)
AUC(0–16), (ng/ml)*h	2229.66 (±963.99)	2083.21 (±656.45)
Cmax, ng/ml	1028.12 (±503.31)	972.68 (±317.16)
AUC(0–∞), (ng/ml)*h	2327.01 (±984.49)	2154.71 (±673.22)
Tmax, h	1.3 (0.8–2.5)	1.5 (0.8–2.3)
T1/2, h	1.7 (±0.42)	1.58 (±0.26)

Notes: n – a number of observations; C_max – the maximum concentration of the drug in the volunteers’ blood; T_max – time to reach C_max; T_1/2 – half-life; AUC_(0–16) – the total area under the curve “concentration – time” in the time interval from 0 to 16 hours; AUC_(0–∞) – the area under the “concentration-time” curve in the time interval from 0 to infinity. The values of the indicators are presented as an arithmetic mean (standard deviation), except T_max, which is presented as a median (min – max).

 

After taking the test and reference drugs, the pharmacokinetic parameters of molnupiravir were similar to each other. Thus, after taking the test drug, the maximum concentration of C_max NHC was 1028.12±503.31 ng/ml, while after taking the reference drug, this parametr was equal to an mean of 972.68±317.16 ng/ml. The area under the curve measured up to 16 h post-dose AUC_(0–16), was 2229.66±963.99 ng*h/ml; and 2083.21±656.45 ng*h/ml – after taking the reference drug.

Fig. 2 shows a graph of changes in the NHC concentrations after taking the test and reference drugs.

After calculating the PK parameters, a statistical assessment of bioequivalence was carried out. Since the calculation results showed that AUC_(0–16) was more than 80% of the AUC_(0–∞) value, AUC_(0-16) values were used to establish bioequivalence.

According to the results of the statistical analysis, 90% CI for the ratio of the geometric mean AUC_(0–16) of the test drug and reference drug, was 96.31% – 113.64% for NHC. For the ratio of geometric mean C_max of the studied drugs, 90% CI was 91.37% – 114.8%. The intervals obtained correspond to the established equivalence limit for AUC_(0–16) and C_max – 80.00–125.00%, which indicates the studied drugs bioequivalence (Table 2). The results of the ANOVA showed that sources of variation, such as differences between the drugs, between the subjects (intersubject differences), and the administration sequence and study periods, did not significantly affect the variables assessed.

 

Table 2 – Calculated 90% CI values for ratios of NHC pharmacokinetic parameters of geometric means after test and reference drugs administration

Parameter	Ratio of geometric T/R means	Calculated values of 90% CI	CVintra1
AUC(0–16)	104.6%	96.31% – 113.64%	18.30%
Cmax	102.4%	91.37% – 114.80%	25.44%

Notes: ¹ – CV_intra – intra-individual coefficient of variability; CIs – confidence intervals; T – test drug, R – reference drug.

 

Safety

Throughout the study, both study and reference drugs were well tolerated by the volunteers. Hematological and biochemical blood tests, as well as urinalysis and physiological parameters in most volunteers remained normal throughout the study. Any deviations from the norm of laboratory and instrumental parameters were recorded as AEs. In total, 5 AEs were registered in the study: an increase in the diastolic blood pressure, an increase or decrease in the number of lymphocytes, an increase in the number of lymphocytes, an increase in the level of creatine phosphokinase. The registered deviations had a random multidirectional character. All AEs were grade 1 according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 5.0. The list of AEs is presented in Table 3.

 

Table 3 – Summary table of AEs frequency after taking each of the drugs

Adverse effect	Test drug (N=28)	Reference drug (N=28)	P1value
Cardiovascular disorders
Increase in diastolic blood pressure	1 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1.000
Laboratory and instrumental data
Increase in leukocytes number	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.6%)	1.000
Decrease in leukocytes number	1 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1.000
Increase in lymphocytes number	1 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1.000
Increase in creatine phosphokinase levels	1 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1.000

Note: ¹ – McNemar’s criterion with Edwards’ correction. All adverse effects given in the table refer to grade 1 severity.

 

According to the investigators’ conclusion, all registered AEs were not associated with the study products, i.e., the degree of association was regarded as “doubtful”.

When comparing the frequency of individual AEs registration, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) after taking the test drug and the reference drug, on the basis of which it can be concluded that the drugs are similarly tolerated.

DISCUSSION

Molnupiravir is a low molecular weight ribonucleoside prodrug that is hydrolyzed in the blood to N-hydroxycytidine. Molnupiravir has an antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants [13–15] and other RNA-containing viruses such as influenza, Ebola and respiratory syncytial viruses [16–20]. During preclinical development in vitro and in vivo trials, molnupiravir showed a high efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, as well as a low toxicity to animals [21, 22]. In clinical studies conducted for the original drug, molnupiravir demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of mild and moderate of a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 [11, 12, 23, 24]. In the most extensive research of MOVe-OUT study (NCT04575597), phase 3, which included 1,433 patients, it was found out that molnupiravir at the dose of 800 mg 2 twice a day for 5 days, significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization or death compared with placebo [12]. In the mITT population, which was represented by randomized patients who had been administrated with at least one dose of molnupiravir or placebo and had not been hospitalized prior to the therapy initiation, the rate of hospitalization or death was 6.8% (48 out of 709 patients) in the molnupiravir group and 9.7% (68 out of 699 patients) in the placebo group. The difference between the groups was 3% [95% CI –5.9; –0.1]. In addition, the drug showed a favorable safety profile. The proportion of patients who had experienced at least one AE was similar in both groups (30.4% in the molnupiravir group and 33.0% in the placebo group). Given the wide spread of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19, the administration of a bioequivalent generic drug molnupiravir to the market will increase the availability of the effective and safe treatment for this disease.

As a result of the bioequivalence study, it was found out that the PK parameters of the generic drug molnupiravir are comparable to the parameters of the reference (original) drug. In addition, the PK parameters of the test drug were comparable to the data obtained as a result of the 1^st phase study of the original drug Lagevrio. Thus, the geometric mean C_max obtained in the study EIDD-2801-1001-UK [25] of the original drug with a single dose of 200 mg was 926 ng/ml, while the geometric mean of this parameter for the test drug in this bioequivalence research was 950 ng/ml. Similar trends can be observed in terms of AUC_0-∞: the geometric mean value in the study of the original drug was 1830 ng*h/ml, and the value of the test drug in this bioequivalence research was 2189 ng*h/ml.

After calculating the PK parameters of the test and reference drugs in this research, a statistical determination of bioequivalence was carried out. According to its results it was found out that the obtained 90% CI fully fit into the required range of 80.00–125.00% for AUC_(0–16) and C_max, which was established in accordance with the protocol and the “Rules for Conducting Bioequivalence Studies of Medicinal Products” within the Eurasian Economic Union, approved by the Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 85 dated November 03, 2016, as well as the international guidelines on bioequivalence of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The spectrum of the reported AEs was consistent with the safety profile of the original drug molnupiravir. The frequency of AEs registration did not differ after taking the test and reference drugs. Thus, it can be concluded that in the framework of the clinical trial, the test and reference drugs demonstrated similar safety characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The results of bioequivalence study fully meet all criteria for the drugs established in generally recognized by international guidelines. Thus, it can be concluded that the test and reference molnupiravir products are bioequivalent. Based on the results of the study, it can also be concluded that the drugs have similar safety profiles.

Based on the results of the bioequivalence and safety research (July 2022), the drug ALARIO-TL was registered in the Russian Federation under the registration procedure for the drugs to be used under the threat conditions of occurrence and liquidation of emergency situations⁴.

FUNDING

This study was carried out with the funding of the R-Pharm group of companies.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The clinical trial was organized by the sponsor R-Pharm group of companies. The authors of the article V.G. Mozgovaya, O.V. Filon, A.V. Petkova, V.G. Ignatiev, M.Yu. Samsonov, I.S. Kozlova, E.K. Khanonina are employees of R-Pharm group of companies.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION

Vasily B. Vasilyuk – research conducting; Anna Yu. Boroduleva, Pavel D. Sobolev, Aiyyna G. Nikiforova – development, validation of the analytical part, biosamples analysis; Valentina G. Mozgovaya, Olga V. Filon – development of study design, text writing and editing; Irina S. Kozlova, Elizaveta K. Khanonina – results analysis, text writing and editing; Anna V. Zinkovskaya – statistical processing of study results; Vasily G. Ignatiev, Mikhail Yu. Samsonov – aim setting, development of study design.

¹ Decision of Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission of November 3, 2016 No. 85 “About approval of Rules of carrying out researches of bioequivalence of medicines within the Eurasian Economic Union”.

² Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Guideline on the investigation of bioequivalence. Doc. Ref.: CPMP/EWP/QWP/1401/98 Rev. 1/ Corr **, 2010. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/guideline-investigation-bioequivalence-rev1_en.pdf

³ WHO, Guidance Document 15 November 2021, Notes on the design of bioequivalence study: Molnupiravir. Available from: https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/documents/BE_molnupiravir_Nov2021.pdf

⁴ Russian State Register of Medicines. ALARIO-TL. Available from: https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/Grls_View_v2.aspx?routingGuid=ad6c 6196-0400-4d82-a656-56178a7c6e85

About the authors

Vasily B. Vasilyuk

Limited Liability Company “Eco-Safety Scientific Research Center”; North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov

Email: vasilyuk_vb@ecosafety.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2503-4402

Doctor of Sciences (Medicine), Managing Director of “Eco-Safety Scientific Research Center”, Professor of the Department of Toxicology, Extreme and Diving Medicine, North-Western State Medical University n.a. I.I. Mechnikov

Russian Federation, 65, Yuri Gagarin Ave., St. Petersburg, 196143; 41, Kirochnaya Str., St. Petersburg, 191015

Anna Yu. Boroduleva

Limited Liability Company “Exacte Labs”

Email: anna.boroduleva@exactelabs.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1074-5551

Senior Analytical Chemist

Russian Federation, Bldg 2, 20, Nauchny driveway, Moscow, 117246

Pavel D. Sobolev

Limited Liability Company “Exacte Labs”,

Email: pavel.sobolev@exactelabs.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3634-596X

Head of the Laboratory of Bioanalytics

Russian Federation, Bldg 2, 20, Nauchny driveway, Moscow, 117246

Aiyyna G. Nikiforova

Limited Liability Company “Exacte Labs”,

Email: aiyyna.nikiforova@exactelabs.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5719-0787

Head of the Bioanalytics Department

Russian Federation, Bldg 2, 20, Nauchny driveway, Moscow, 117246

Valentina G. Mozgovaya

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Email: mozgovay@rpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8934-8884

Scientific Adviser

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

Olga V. Filon

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Email: ov.filon@rpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8735-7429

Department Director

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

Anna V. Zinkovskaya

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Email: zinkovskaya@rpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7028-0496

Head of the Biostatistics Group of the Department of Preclinical and Clinical Development

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

Vasily G. Ignatiev

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Email: info@rpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2818-6583

Candidate of Sciences (Medicine), General Director

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

Mikhail Yu. Samsonov

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Email: samsonov@rpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2685-1623

Candidate of Sciences (Medicine), Associate Professor, Medical Director

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

Irina S. Kozlova

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Email: is.kozlova@rpharm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2536-296X

Medical Writer

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

Elizaveta K. Khanonina

Joint-Stock Company “R-Pharm”

Author for correspondence.
Email: khanonina@rphapm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5848-0869

Junior Specialist

Russian Federation, Bldg 1, 19, Berzarin Str., Moscow, 123154

References

Supplementary files